Chrysanthemum plant Diana

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum Plant, named Diana, a sport of Dolly, distinguished from its parent, as well as any other variety known to me, by its darker lavender flower color and its increased &#34;rolled&#34; or &#34;spoon shaped&#34; petals. The new cultivar, Diana, is similar to its parent Dolly in all other major aspects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of chrysanthemumplant named DIANA which is a sport of the cultivar Dolly, an unpatentedcommercial variety.

This sport was discovered and selected by us from a flowering of Dollyin our commercial greenhouses in Carpinteria, Calif. on Oct. 21, 1981because of its unique darker lavender flower color and slightlyincreased "rolled" or "spoon-shaped" petals. The distinguishingcharacteristics which are outstanding in the new cultivar and whichdistinguish it from its parent are as follows:

1. Darker flower color.

2. 5 to 6% more petals "rolled" or "spooned" in shape.

This dark sprot is similar to Dolly in the following characteristics:

1. Foliage.

2. Size of flower.

3. Herbaceaus plant form with vigorous, upright, branching growth.

4. Flowering response.

Asexual reproduction and flowerings of this new cultivar by cuttings wasperformed at Carpinteria, Calif. and Fremont, Calif. in commercialgreenhouses. The new cultivar was found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics as listed herein through successive propagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The photo depicting the overall form and appearance of the plant doesnot illustrate the true color of the blooms. The blooms in thisphotograph show a subdued pink color and do not illustrate the trueviolet shade of the new cultiver. It does, however, illustrate thevigorous, upright growth habit and strong straight stems.

The photo showing a close up view of the blooms, does illustrate thetrue color of the new cultivar.

The parentage of the new chrysanthemum plant is as follows: Sport ofunpatented commercial variety, Dolly.

The classification of the new variety is as follows:

p0 Botanical: Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat.

Commercial: Standard spray

The following detailed botanical description is based on observations ofplants grown inside commercial greenhouses at Fremont, Calif., andCarpinteria, Calif.

The height of plant and flower and foliage size established as anaverage using standard commercial cultural practices and the recommendedtreatment of long day control as known in the industry: one to two weekslong days before initiation of short days. The data provided, accuratelycharacterizes the sport in question. Color designation and other valuesstated may deviate slightly from the stated values from flowering toflowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected fromvarying environmental, seasonal, and cultural conditions. The form ofthe plant is Herbaceous and it grows in an upright branching manner. Thefollowing table compares the new cultivar with its parent Dolly.

    ______________________________________                                        TABLE OF COMPARISON                                                                     New Cultivar                                                                  (Diana)           Dolly                                             ______________________________________                                        PLANT:                                                                        Height      120 cm              Same                                          Response    9 weeks             Same                                          Form        Herbacious          Same                                          Growth:     Vigorous, upright, branching                                                                      Same                                          Blooming Season:                                                                          Year around         Same                                          FOLIAGE:                                                                      Color -     136 A               Same                                          Upper side                                                                    Lower side  138 A               Same                                          Size:       Length 15.25 cm × 8.6 cm width                                                              Same                                          Quantity    Numerous            Same                                          Shape       Obvate lobed        Same                                          Texture     Smooth              Same                                          Ribs and Veins                                                                            Prominent           Same                                          Margins     Deeply indented     Same                                          Serration   Slightly to moderate                                                                              Same                                          Stipules    Rudimentary         Same                                          BLOOM:                                                                        Size        8.89 cm             Same                                          Borne       Clusters on elongated pedicels                                                                    Same                                          Stem Strength                                                                             Strong              Same                                          Form        Decorative          Same                                          Color:                                                                        Center      77a-77B             74A                                           Upper side  77B-77C             76A-76B                                       Lower side  77C-77D             76C-76D                                       Tonality    orchid to light purple                                                                            Lavender                                                                      to                                                                            Orchid                                        PETALS:                                                                       Texture     Smooth              Same                                          Appearance  Open at base, broading quickly                                                                    Same                                          and form    to wide flat keel tapering to                                                 a blunt point.                                                    Arrangement Composite           Same                                          Persistance Resists shattering  Same                                          Fragrance   Typical chrysanthemum                                                                             Same                                          REPRODUCTION                                                                  ORGANS:                                                                       Stamen      2 to 15             Same                                          Pollen      None to scant       Same                                          Arrangement Custered in center of flower                                                                      Same                                                      if present                                                        Styles      Present in both ray & disc florets                                                                Same                                          Length      Short               Same                                          Ovaries     At base of petal attached to                                                                      Same                                                      receptacle                                                        ______________________________________                                    

We claim:
 1. A new and distinctive cultivar of chrysanthemum plant,substantially as herein described, and distinguished from its parent bya darker flower color and increased "rolled" or "spoon shaped" petals.